1.
mischievous boy; little rascal; naughty kid
an energetic and mischievous young boy, used affectionately to describe boisterous or naughty children
うちの息子はやんちゃ坊主だ。
Our son is a little rascal.
やんちゃ坊主たちが公園で走り回っている。
The mischievous boys are running around in the park.
小さいころはやんちゃ坊主だった彼も、今では立派な大人になった。
He was a little rascal as a child, but now he's become a fine adult.
Combines やんちゃ (naughty, mischievous) and 坊主 (boy, kid — colloquial). The term is typically used with affection or humor rather than genuine criticism. It describes boys who are energetic, rebellious, or prone to getting into trouble in a childlike way.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- やんちゃ坊主ぶり: rascal-like behavior
- やんちゃ坊主が育つ: a mischievous boy grows up
SIMILAR WORDS:
- やんちゃ: naughty, mischievous — the adjective/noun component, used for both boys and girls
- いたずらっ子: mischievous child — a more gender-neutral term
- わんぱく: rambunctious, unruly — describes a rough-and-tumble child
- 腕白小僧: rowdy boy — a slightly rougher expression